Daily life can be hard on your skin. Wearing makeup, being exposed to pollution and grime on your commute, enjoying a glass of wine and extreme weather can be all be rough on your skin. It’s easy for your skin to become dry, dull and sensitive. Care for your skin better and improve how it looks and feels with a few easy lifestyle changes.
- Swap out natural scrubs. It might seem that a natural product is better for your skin, but natural exfoliants with ingredients like apricot seeds or crushed shells buff off dead skin in a way that is actually very rough on your face. The rough pieces are hard on the face, causing micro-tears. Instead, choose a gentler chemical exfoliant or one with small, smooth dissolvable beads is much less rough on your skin.
- Shower in cooler water. A hot shower might feel great on your muscles, but the hot water is very drying for the skin. Instead, turn the shower down to a lukewarm temperature. Shorter showers are better for your skin too, so try not to stay in there for longer than ten minutes. Too long in the shower, and you’ll come out with dehydrated skin. Hard water can also be very bad for sensitive skin, causing it to feel dry and fight. If you live in a hard water area, invest in water filtration system to soften the water. As an added bonus, a filtration system will prevent scale build-up in the shower head.
- Have your eyes tested regularly. Squinting and frowning is a big cause of fine lines around the eyes. If you find you’re squinting at things because you can’t see them properly, get your eyes tested and wear glasses if you need them.
- Style your hair before you wash your face. Most of us do things the other way around, and wash our face first, then style our hair. However, any styling products you use on your hair will be getting onto your skin around the hairline, which if left, could clog pores and contribute to blemishes. Instead, use any heat protectors or styling products first, then wash your face to clean away any residue.
- Change your sleeping habits. Getting plenty of sleep is very important for good skin, but the way you sleep can make a difference too. During the night, your pillow can leave marks on your face if you sleep on your side or your front, and those pillow lines can become permanent. Instead, try and train yourself to sleep on your back to avoid pillow lines. A horseshoe shaped travel pillow behind your head, or a pillow under your knees can help encourage you to sleep in the right position. Silk or satin pillowcases are also kinder to skin, so swap out cotton ones while you’re changing your sleeping habits.
- Don’t go overboard on using skincare products. If your skin is stressed out, it might seem tempting to put on a large amount of cleanser and think that will make your skin feel cleaner. In actual fact, too much product can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it feeling tight and lacking moisture. Use a small amount of any cleanser, and make sure you wash it all off properly to avoid left behind product clogging up your pores. A small amount of product goes a long way.
- Always wear an SPF on any exposed skin. You should be wearing an SPF everyday to protect your skin from UV rays. Don’t forget to cover any skin you have on shoes, not just your face. If you have short hair, or wear it tied back, apply SPF to your ears and on your neck. Apply it your hands too to avoid sun damage that can make hands look old.
- Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is one of the best things you can do for your skin to keep it looking good. Stay hydrated by always carrying a bottle of water with you. You could set reminders on your phone or use a hydration app to remind you to keep drinking your water. If you find plain water a bit boring, keep a jug in the fridge or use a diffuser bottle, and add some fruits or vegetables to your water. You could go classic with lemon or lime, or experiment with cucumber and mint, strawberries, or whatever fruit takes your fancy to make your water more interesting.
With a few simple changes, you can really improve your skin and keep it feeling good and looking bright and youthful.
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